As the economy slides south, does that mean our foreheads have to follow suit? Not in the U.S. Non-surgical cosmetic services like dermal fillers and laser treatments are growing more popular, even in the down economy.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 59 percent of respondents said in October that the economy had affected their plans for cosmetic plastic surgery but 27 percent said they would consider less expensive procedures like Botox and lasers.

Getting Botox has become about as common as getting a haircut or going to the gym. What used to be a hush-hush procedure deflected by starlets who credited their smooth skin to good genes and sunscreen is now so common that even young people regularly use Botox. And they don’t flinch as 50 units of Botox are injected around and between their eyes.

Dermal fillers, non-invasive laser treatments and a combination of the two is an easy and fast way to look great for 2009, without breaking the bank. This is the only area where aesthetic practices are showing growth. Consumers eager to stay looking young are turning to light based devices as alternatives to cosmetic surgery. Job seeking consumers need to improve beauty in a cost-effective way. They are worried about money, but for $10-a-unit Botox, they can get a fix that will last six months.

The rejuvenation business is a microcosm of the economy at large. Younger people are deferring surgical procedures until they feel more financially secure. Older residents, with cash in reserve, are still going under the knife. And all are seeking cheaper, less-invasive procedures. They can spend $1,500 for a package of skin care and injectables or $7,000 or $8,000 on surgery, and practioners ask them right away, ‘What’s your budget?’ “

The one step that you need to take most seriously when it comes to planning for cosmetic surgery is finding the right cosmetic laser surgery center. You need to find an aesthetic center that is going to be accredited and offer you everything that you need to get the results that you desire.

There are a few basic rules that you should abide by when it comes to finding a cosmetic laser surgery center. For one, you never really want to go to a newer cosmetic laser surgery center, and instead should stick to one that has been around for at least a few years. This way you know that because they are still in business they are a good facility and that they have patients who are pleased with their results.

You want to do research on a cosmetic laser surgery center before deciding on it for yourself, and you can do this simply enough, especially if you have access to the Internet. You can read reviews from past patients on any cosmetic surgery facility you are considering, to get the best opinion on it and determine whether or not it is going to be the right one for you.

Other Tips

Besides putting in the time to find the right cosmetic laser surgery center, there are a few other tips that you are going to want to be aware of as well.

For one, you need to make sure that you are having the right procedure. There may be more than one thing that you are interested in changing when it comes to your looks, but you should really focus on what is most important to you, rather than taking it all on at once.

You need to get the references of a plastic surgeon before entrusting yourself in their hands. The best idea is to get a firsthand reference, which means if you know someone personally who has had surgery and you like their results, you will want to seriously consider this surgeon to perform your cosmetic surgery.

The more time and effort that you put into this, the better your chances of success are going to be, and the less you will have to worry about something going wrong or of you not being completely satisfied with the outcome.

As you can see, finding a cosmetic laser surgery center is of great importance and you need to take this process very seriously.

In an industry built on disposable income, many spas and doctors offices are feeling nips and tucks in their own bottom lines. In a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 62 percent of responding practitioners reported a drop in cosmetic procedures during the first half of the year. The same study found that 59 percent of women considering plastic surgery said the economy has affected their plans.

In response, many spas, including some of the most elite establishments, are now offering specials and discounts – even in circles where the word discount is seldom heard.

“People like to feel like they’re getting a good deal in these economic times,” says Robyn Gray, owner of Pure Spa and Salon near Mockingbird Station. Some savings are advertised. (Does your doctor have a Botox Thursday yet?) Others might require a bit of sleuthing. Here’s a list of trade secrets that can help you have your face and peel it, too. Become a frequent flyer. Spas want your loyalty and more of your business, so they’re adding incentives. At the Uptown and Plano locations of Spa Habitat, for example, discounts are offered for multiple treatments – one Swedish massage costs $85, but you can get four for $300 and save $40. Many businesses offer similar savings, even if they’re not advertised, so when you book your next appointment, ask if they offer a series discount.

Consider bundling. Taking a page from the phone company’s marketing handbook, spas regularly package services together for a cheaper total price. Linda Wan, managing director of the Rosewood Crescent Hotel, says that buying a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure together at the Spa at the Crescent saves about 15 to 20 percent over the price of getting each separately. Even doctors offer package deals. For instance, Preston Center’s Serena MedSpa recently advertised a discount on Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) FotoFacial when packaged with laser hair removal.

Schedule at off times. Think of it like going to the Bahamas during hurricane season. Book your reservation when fewer people want to go, and you may be able to get a deal. Everyone wants to schedule a massage on a Saturday and cosmetic surgery on a Friday, so try for a spot earlier in the week. Gray says Pure Spa just started offering weekday deals such as $10 off on a Tuesday massage or half price for a salt glow exfoliation on Wednesdays. Another example: the Spa at the Crescent offers a $20 discount for Monday through Wednesday appointments. You may also find better plastic surgery deals in the summer, when business slacks off because kids are home from school or patients are more likely to be on vacation.

Negotiate. Doctors and spa professionals don’t particularly enjoy feeling like they’re trying to sell you a car. Nonetheless, a lower offer doesn’t hurt, says Dr. Bill Johnson of Innovations MedSpa, which has locations in Dallas, Fort Worth and Grapevine. Especially if (see above) you try on an unpopular day. “I’m a lot more likely to give you a discount if you’re willing to schedule your procedure on a Monday or Tuesday,” he says. Also, if you’re really flexible, try for a last-minute booking. If a patient suddenly cancels, a spa might be willing to take a customer for a lesser fee rather than see the slot go completely empty. Not all physicians or spas are willing to negotiate, but you won’t know unless you ask. “We may say no,” Dr. Johnson says, “but we’re not insulted by it.”

Opt for temporary instead of permanent. “What I see is patients using more fillers and Botox in substitution for surgery,” says Dr. Rod Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. “They’re downgrading what they would normally get.”

Narrow your target. Ask yourself: What do I really want here? Do I really need a full facelift just to get a more refreshed look around my worried-looking eyes? Tell your surgeon or dermatologist how much you can comfortably spend, and be specific about your goals, and the doctor or staff may offer alternative suggestions within your budget.

Remember the lesson of the flat-screen TV. The first sets on the market cost thousands of dollars and were a true status symbol. Now anyone can take home a 42-inch electronic wonder for around $1,000, and it’s probably a better television. Cosmetic enhancements have undergone the same revolution. If the technology isn’t new, chances are the price has dropped. Dr. Johnson of Innovations once priced six treatments of laser hair removal at $1,900 per leg. As a holiday special, the spa offers the same service around $500. If you’re willing to consider older technology for other procedures, which may take longer to get the results you’re after or require more treatments, you might also save some money.

Bring a buddy. Two can be pampered more cheaply than one. Join a friend at the Greenhouse Spa in Arlington, for example, and you each get a $1,000 discount for a seven-night package. One January special even offers a free stay for you, if you bring a friend. Some surgeons note the advantage of his-and-hers plastic surgery: “If two people, say, a husband and wife or siblings, have a procedure together, it will cost less than two separate surgeries,” writes surgeon Stuart Linder of Beverly Hills, on YourNewBodyBlog.com.

Above all, think like a smart shopper. Call around to see whether the fees your spa or doctor’s office is charging seem in line with competitors. But remember, cheaper isn’t always better, and when it comes to surgery and other permanent changes, you don’t necessarily want to put yourself in the hands of a bargain-basement operator, cautions Elana Pruitt, editorial manager of BeautyChatBlog.com, PlasticSurgery.com and YourNewBodyBlog.com. “Because it’s your body, you can’t return it,” she says. “You don’t want to have any regrets.”

source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/fdshops/stories/DN-looks_servicedeals_1216liv.State.Edition1.220e307.html

Nearly 11.7 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2007, according to statistics released today by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The Aesthetic Society, which has been collecting multi-specialty procedural statistics since 1997 says the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 457 percent since the collection of the statistics first began. The most frequently performed procedure was Botox injections and the most popular surgical procedure was liposuction.“Our statistics confirm that aesthetic plastic surgery is not defined by race or gender,” said Aesthetic Society president Foad Nahai, MD. “The number of surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed on men increased 17 percent since last year, and 22 percent of the aesthetic procedures were performed on traditional racial and ethnic minorities.”

TRENDS AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Women had 91 percent of cosmetic procedures. The number of procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) performed on women was over 10.6 million, an increase of 1 percent from the previous year. Surgical procedures increased 9 percent; nonsurgical procedures decreased by less than 1 percent. Since 1997, surgical procedures increased 142 percent, while nonsurgical procedures have increased 743 percent.

Men had 9 percent of cosmetic procedures. The number of procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) performed on men was just over 1 million, an increase of 17 percent from the previous year. Surgical procedures increased 5 percent; nonsurgical procedures increased 21 percent. Since 1997, surgical procedures have increased 3 percent while nonsurgical procedures have increased 886 percent.

Racial and Ethnic Distribution
Traditional racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 22 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2007. Hispanics again led minority racial and ethnic groups in the number of procedures: Hispanics, 9 percent; African-Americans, 6 percent; Asians, 5 percent; and other non-Caucasians, 2 percent.

Location and Fees
Almost fifty-four percent (54 percent) of cosmetic procedures in 2007 were performed in office-based facilities; 28 percent in freestanding surgicenters; and 17 percent in hospitals. Americans spent just over $13 billion on cosmetic procedures; $8.3 billion was for surgical procedures, and $4.7 billion was for nonsurgical procedures.